HAJAR – STONE VILLAS

Hajar Stone Villas: DAMAC Hills 2's Distinctively Built Heritage-Inspired Community

Hajar Stone Villas is a completed villa enclave by DAMAC Properties within the master-planned community of DAMAC Hills 2 (formerly Akoya Oxygen) — Dubai's first sustainability-themed residential community in the southern Al Qudra corridor. Delivered in Q4 2022, Hajar offers 1-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom villa configurations across a design philosophy that sets it apart from every other DAMAC Hills 2 enclave: archaic stone construction. Where the community's other villa clusters are built in conventional stucco and concrete with contemporary finishes, Hajar's stone-clad exteriors draw from historic masonry traditions — both for visual distinction and for genuinely functional thermal performance benefits. Priced from AED 869,000 for 1-bedroom configurations to AED 4.5M for larger villas, Hajar serves a wide spectrum of buyers: the young couple seeking their first freehold garden property at the most accessible entry point in Dubai's villa market, the family seeking authentic character and lower energy costs, and the investor targeting DAMAC Hills 2's growing community rental demand from families who want the resort-lifestyle of the master amenities at an affordable monthly outlay.

Project Snapshot

| Detail | Information | |---|---| | Developer | DAMAC Properties | | Master Community | DAMAC Hills 2 (Akoya Oxygen) | | Location | Al Qudra Corridor, Dubai | | Status | Ready — Completed Q4 2022 | | Property Types | Villa | | Bedroom Mix | 1BR, 3BR, 4BR | | Unit Sizes | ~460 sq. ft. (1BR) / ~1,719 sq. ft. (3BR) / ~1,821 sq. ft. (4BR) | | Price Range | AED 869,000 – AED 4.5M | | Defining Feature | Archaic stone construction — unique in DAMAC Hills 2 | | Title | Freehold |

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The Stone Construction: Why Hajar Is Architecturally Distinctive

In a Dubai residential market where the vast majority of villa communities — regardless of price point — use standard stucco-over-concrete construction with white or cream paint finishes, Hajar Stone Villas' use of natural stone cladding is a genuinely unusual choice. The name itself signals this distinction: "Hajar" (حجر) means "stone" in Arabic.

Aesthetic Distinction Stone cladding creates a visual weight, texture, and warmth that painted stucco cannot replicate. The material's surface variation — the subtle colour shifts, the texture depth, the way light reads differently across a stone facade than across a smooth painted surface — gives the Hajar villas a character and warmth that reads as artisanal and considered rather than produced. Within DAMAC Hills 2, where most villa clusters use similar contemporary stucco finishes, the Hajar enclave is immediately visually distinctive — its stone tones and textured surfaces creating a village-like character that contrasts pleasantly with the more uniform aesthetic of surrounding clusters.

Thermal Performance: The Functional Case Stone is one of history's most effective natural building materials precisely because of its thermal mass properties. Thermal mass refers to a material's ability to absorb heat during the day and release it gradually at night — a physical property that naturally moderates temperature extremes:

• Summer: Stone walls absorb solar heat during the day, preventing rapid heat transfer into the interior. The interior remains cooler than a stucco-clad building of equivalent insulation.
• Winter: Stone walls retain heat, keeping the interior warmer than thin-skinned construction.
• Cooling efficiency: The reduced thermal load on the interior means air conditioning systems run for shorter cycles — reducing both energy consumption and the mechanical wear that shortens HVAC lifespans.

DAMAC's claim that the stone construction provides "energy-efficient design" is technically well-founded: thermal mass is a standard passive cooling strategy in hot climates globally, and stone is among the most effective natural thermal mass materials. For residents, this translates into DEWA utility bills that are measurably lower than comparable-sized villas in conventional construction. For investors who rent properties, lower utility bills are a significant tenant retention factor — particularly in Dubai's community of residents who have been surprised by DEWA costs in their first summer.

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About DAMAC Properties and DAMAC Hills 2

DAMAC Properties is one of the UAE's largest luxury real estate developers with a portfolio exceeding 44,000 completed units. DAMAC Hills 2 is the group's most ambitious community development to date — a master-planned ecosystem covering approximately 42 million square feet, organised around four principal recreational "Town" zones that create a self-contained resort-lifestyle environment without requiring residents to leave the community for most leisure and entertainment activities.

The master community provides Hajar Stone Villas residents with access to:

Water Town A resort-scale aquatic destination at community level:

• Wave pool built to Malibu Beach specifications — a genuine surfable wave machine
• Lazy river winding through the community landscape
• Splash pad for young children
• Dedicated toddler aquatic zone
• Waterslide towers

Sports Town An active sports hub within the community:

• Full-sized cricket pitch (ICC-standard)
• Outdoor tennis and padel courts
• Football/rugby/athletics fields
• Outdoor gymnasium and exercise stations
• Cycling and jogging trails integrated into the community landscape

Motor Town A motorsport recreation facility unusual in any residential community:

• Go-karting track providing performance driving recreation within walking distance
• Motor sport viewing and spectator infrastructure

Equestrian Town Full equestrian facilities within the community:

• Stables for privately owned horses
• Riding arenas
• Professional riding instruction and coaching

Down Town — Community Centre The community's social and commercial hub:

• Zen garden and meditation spaces
• BBQ pavilions and outdoor entertaining areas
• Amphitheatre for community events
• Petting zoo — particularly popular with young families
• Community retail including a major Carrefour supermarket
• Cafés, restaurants, and F&B variety
• Pharmacies and essential services

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Unit Configurations: A Remarkably Wide Spectrum

Hajar Stone Villas' most unusual aspect — particularly in the DAMAC Hills 2 context — is the breadth of its unit mix:

| Villa Type | Size | Typical Buyer | Price Range | |---|---|---|---| | 1 Bedroom Villa | ~460 sq. ft. | Couple, single professional, investment | From AED 869,000 | | 3 Bedroom Villa | ~1,719 sq. ft. | Growing family, long-term investment | Mid-range | | 4 Bedroom Villa | ~1,821 sq. ft. | Established family, premium tenant | Up to AED 4.5M |

The 1-Bedroom Villa: Dubai's Most Accessible Freehold Garden Property A 1-bedroom freehold villa with a private garden in a master-planned community with resort amenities at AED 869,000 is, to put it simply, extraordinary value by any comparative measure. For context:

| Property Type | Community | 1BR Freehold Price (approx.) | |---|---|---| | Studio Apartment | Business Bay | AED 700,000 – 1,000,000 | | Studio Apartment | JVC | AED 500,000 – 800,000 | | 1BR Villa | Hajar / DAMAC Hills 2 | AED 869,000 |

For the AED 869,000 that purchases a Business Bay studio in a high-rise tower — no garden, shared amenities, no privacy — the Hajar 1-bedroom villa provides a private garden, the stone architecture, and access to the full DAMAC Hills 2 master amenities. For buyers prioritising outdoor space, privacy, and the emotional weight of a freehold house over a high-floor address, the Hajar 1-bedroom represents a compelling reallocation of their capital.

The 3 and 4-Bedroom Villas: Character Family Homes At 1,719–1,821 sq. ft., the 3 and 4-bedroom Hajar villas are compact by villa standards — smaller than DAMAC Hills 2's larger clusters like Cuatro (which offers villa BUA from 2,200+ sq. ft.) — but appropriately sized for families of 3–6 who want the stone-villa aesthetic and private garden without the management overhead of a very large home. The all-in community access — Water Town, Sports Town, Equestrian Town, Down Town — means that the villa's smaller footprint is compensated by an extraordinarily rich community living context.

Interior Character The stone exterior is complemented by interiors that balance the rustic warmth of the facade with functional modern living:

• Wide-format windows that let natural light into all rooms while providing views of the private garden
• Open-plan ground floor living/dining for family gatherings
• Modern fitted kitchens with functional layouts
• Bedrooms with built-in wardrobe storage
• Private enclosed garden — sized for children's play, outdoor furniture, and small planting areas
• Central air conditioning throughout
• Covered parking for 2 vehicles (3 and 4-bedroom units)

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Location and Connectivity

DAMAC Hills 2 is positioned in the Al Qudra corridor — Dubai's developing southern residential axis — with primary access via Al Qudra Road (D63):

| Destination | Estimated Travel | |---|---| | Al Qudra Road (D63) | 2 – 5 minutes | | Community Retail / Amenities | Within community | | Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) | 25 – 35 minutes | | Dubai Marina | 35 – 40 minutes | | Mall of the Emirates | 30 – 35 minutes | | Downtown Dubai | 35 – 45 minutes | | Abu Dhabi | 60 – 75 minutes |

The distance from central Dubai is the primary trade-off and should be clearly understood. For families whose daily routines centre on the community's schools, sports facilities, and amenities, with occasional weekend trips to the city, the distance is a manageable and worthwhile trade for the extraordinary value and lifestyle quality that DAMAC Hills 2 provides at this price point.

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Investment Analysis

Yield Profile The rental demand for DAMAC Hills 2 villas is driven primarily by families seeking the resort lifestyle at affordable monthly costs — a structural demand base that provides consistent occupancy and rental income:

| Villa Type | Estimated Annual Rent | Gross Yield | |---|---|---| | 1 Bedroom Villa | AED 60,000 – 80,000 | 8.0% – 10.0% | | 3 Bedroom Villa | AED 100,000 – 130,000 | 6.5% – 8.5% | | 4 Bedroom Villa | AED 130,000 – 165,000 | 6.5% – 8.0% |

The 1-bedroom villa yield of 8–10% is exceptional for a freehold garden property — combining the accessibility of sub-AED-1M acquisition cost with rental rates that reflect the community's genuine lifestyle appeal rather than just a commodity shelter function.

The Stone Premium at Resale In a community where most villa clusters are architecturally interchangeable (stucco, contemporary, similar colour palettes), Hajar's stone construction creates a resale differentiation that is immediately apparent to buyers who tour multiple DAMAC Hills 2 clusters. Buyers with an aesthetic preference for the stone's warmth and character — a significant proportion of the market — will show a preference and potentially a price premium for Hajar over comparable-sized conventional villas. This differentiation is permanent — the stone is part of the building structure, not a finish that can be replicated through renovation.

Energy Cost Savings The thermal mass advantage translates into measurable energy savings over the holding period. For a 3-bedroom villa, the annual DEWA savings from the stone's passive cooling effect can amount to AED 3,000–8,000 per year — a cumulative saving of AED 30,000–80,000 over a 10-year holding period. While not the primary investment return driver, this operational advantage contributes to the total return and to tenant retention.

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Who Is Hajar Stone Villas For?

First-Time Freehold Buyers Seeking a Garden Property — The 1-bedroom villa at AED 869,000 is, without any exaggeration, the most affordable entry into freehold garden villa ownership in a master-planned community with resort amenities that exists in Dubai. For buyers who have been saving toward their first freehold property and who have found the entire Dubai villa market priced beyond their reach, Hajar's 1-bedroom configuration changes the equation completely.

Character-Seeking Families — For families who want a home with genuine warmth, material distinctiveness, and a sense of place — not just a white box in a gated community — the stone construction at Hajar delivers exactly this. The stone facade ages gracefully, develops character over years, and creates a home that feels rooted and settled rather than interchangeable.

Energy-Conscious Long-Term Owners — For buyers who will occupy the home for extended periods and for investors who understand operating cost efficiency, the stone's thermal performance creates a compounding return over the holding period through reduced utility bills and HVAC wear.

DAMAC Hills 2 Community Lifestyle Buyers — The Water Town, Sports Town, Equestrian Town, and Motor Town amenities are accessible to all DAMAC Hills 2 residents regardless of which cluster they occupy. For buyers who want the full community lifestyle — the wave pool, the stables, the go-karts, the cricket pitch — at a price point that leaves meaningful capital available for other life priorities, Hajar's 1-bedroom and 3-bedroom villas provide that access at remarkable value.

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Hajar Stone Villas occupy a unique position in DAMAC Hills 2's diverse product mix: architecturally distinctive by material and construction technique, thermally superior by physics, and commercially compelling by the combination of low entry pricing and access to one of Dubai's most comprehensive community amenity ecosystems. In a community celebrated for affordable resort living, Hajar adds a layer of character that the community's otherwise conventional construction cannot match.